Lorain Public Library, serving an area of 132,000 residents, has a collection of 500,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 42,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 46,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 105 employees, of whom 16 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 5 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $1,050,000. Patrons make 780,000 visits annually, and check out materials 1,600,000 times. Thirty-four percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
